All is Ephemeral

Edith Piaf’s life was a sombre one but she was able to reach into the depths of her troubled soul to pluck songs such as this from the void.

La Nina de Los Peines is considered the greatest flamenco singer of the 20th century and Al gurugu is considered one of her best songs.

As a song, Route 66 is a piece of history in itself, celebrating a legendary highway that has fallen victim to the passing of the years now.

Lili Marleen became very popular on the radio for both German and Allied soldiers, doubtless making them think of their own loved ones.

This Land is Your Land follows a scenic narrative with Woody Guthrie describing many of the wonders to be found in America.

Rum and Coca Cola’s origins can be found in World War II when thousands of US soldiers were stationed in Trinidad as a defensive measure.

Stormy Weather uses an extended metaphor with the dark clouds and rain emphasising that when her man left, he took the sun away with him.

Today sees Billie Holiday hit the list for the 3rd time, more than any other artist so far and a testament to her enduring appeal and legend.

The song is said to be about a peasant woman from Guantanamo, hence Guajira Guantanamera, that makes up the chorus to the song.

In other circles Gloomy Sunday is known as Hungarian Suicide Song which gives an immediate insight into its subject matter.

Java Jive speaks of a love for coffee (not for me) and tea (you’ve got my attention now) and how the coffee loves the drinker as well.

Mbube's influence would lead to a later version used in a Disney film, making $15 million that Solomon Linda and his family saw little of.

Gallis Pole tells the story of the narrator facing the gallows, beseeching their siblings to come and buy their freedom to spare them.

Amazingly, Over the Rainbow was originally omitted from The Wizard of Oz with concerns that it was ponderous and slowed down the narrative.

Strange Fruit began life as a poem by a Jewish-American teacher, Abel Meeropol who wrote it as a protest song against the inhumane lynchings.

Robert Johnson sings of his need for a woman that will make everything okay again but there is very much the air of a desperate man here.

In Cross Roads Blues the narrator despairs at a crossroads, pleads to God for mercy, fails to hitch a ride & laments the absence of a woman.

This song from The Carter Family focuses on the final journey of the narrator’s mother as they follow the long road down to her funeral.

Sol Hoʻopiʻi is considered one of the greatest slack key guitarists. His blend of music began in Hawaii and soon became popular in the US.

In Mal Hombre (Bad Man) Mendoza sings of a serial womaniser whose charms she has fallen for but who ultimately has broken her heart.